SAMPLE CHAPTERS & ARTWORK UPDATES

I’ve had so many stories wrapped around this particular characters, it’s not funny. But I’ve finally worked out the story kinks. This looks like something you’d see summarized on Wiki, which a great place to go when you need spoilers!

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Summary
The Relic’s Keeper is about a young man who is crippled and lives with his family. Their village is located in the valley under the watchful eye of those called High Keepers. Mechanical Guardians roam the forests by day. By dusk come the Shades, those under the control of Eternal Night. Azryael is the oldest child with his sister Christauni, who truly believes they’ll somehow survive their poor living conditions. With not much money coming in, Christauni tries to find work. Unsuccessfully, but still determined to make ends meet, she accepts an offer from one of the Shades to work for the Eternal Night. However, she returns home to discover the lie in what she’s become, as she cannot interfere or touch anything during the daylight hours. Furious, she determines to find another way to care for her ill brother. When Azryael’s condition worsens, his father carries him outside the city walls for the wolves to feast on, but is saved by a blind individual named Rivan. An oppportunist, Rivan left the city to make his way in the outside world. He knows all too well how the poor are mistreated, and promises his new companion that they’ll make it together. But Rivan is not without is own desires, and soon accepts a Shade’s offer.

Alone and afraid, Azryael accepts his fate when a mechanical Guardian takes him to the hillside mansion of the High Keepers. It is there within the pristine palace walls that the last Relic of Healing waits. When the Guardian releases him, Azryael finds himself getting stronger until he’s at last able to stand and accept his new role as a Relic’s Keeper. An elderly woman explains that many have tried to claim the Relic’s healing powers for themselves, and not to be surprised by jealousy. He learns there are seven Relics, but some of them are missing, as a few Keepers turned to the promise of power by the Enteral Night. Azryael has a delicate task of keeping balance by healing the land, and he wonders if he’s able to heal the people back in his home village. He’s given a warning not to be seen by anyone while doing so, and soon makes his way back down the mountainside. With Relic in hand, Azryael does as promises and watches with pride while the valley blooms and prospers. The sick are no longer sick. Gardens are abundant with fruits and vegetables. Everything seems perfect when the approach night brings about the Shades, with one of them being Christauni. Azryael vanquishes all but one when he recongizes his sister. She has fallen under the mind-numbing spell of Eternal Night to offer false promises to those like herself, but the glow of healing power snaps her out of it. While she’s delighted to see her brother, they both realize they can never be together because of what they are. Lingering Shades are tracked, so she’s afraid to bring more where her brother’s located.

For a while, they agree to meet in different locations for short periods of time, but rising jealousy causes some of the Keepers to turn against Azryael. In vain, they try to pry the Relic from him, but combined fury by both Relic and Azryael make him the stronger and wiser. He learns quickly to fight back, but always with mercy. More of these Shades and other creatures start appearing due to Christauni’s lack of committing herself and attempts to be with her brother. News of a Red Mage starts to spread fear, as Azryael’s eyes glow red with rage when he fights to protect those he loves. A fading mist swirling in the night signifies the master of Eternal Night has been chosen and now leads an army to capture the remaining Relics. Azryael ignores the call of the HIgh Keepers to stay back and defend the village when he’s approached by two Keepers, who claim to join his side in battle. Christauni overhears their plot and tries save her brother, who gets turned over to the Eternal Night. For their treason, the Relics recall their power, violently killing the two Keepers. Christauni snatches up the Relic of Healing, surprised when she can actually wield it, and goes after Azryael, who had cast it away to protect it. Without the Relic, Azryael returns to being a cripple, and is unable to fight against his restraints. When he gets to the Underworld of Eternal Night, he learns that Rivan is the newly chosen master, which has given his vision though his eyes are still opal. He states that the world doesn’t deserve Relics because they only care for themselves and no one else, but Azryael denies this. Rivan continues to come up with excuses, even accusing his own parents that abandoned him and his own sister. This infuriates Azryael. When his eyes glow, it connects to the Relic that Christauni has brought with her. Renewed strength breaks his bindings to face off against Rivan, who has only ever known hate and neglect in his life. The two battle while Christauni gathers the lost Relics. When she brings them together, they combine with the Relic of Healing as an ultimate fighting staff. “You see what you want to see, but not what you need to see!” Azryael thrusts the staff into Rivan’s darkness, which shatters the night away from the youth. Together, they leave as the place starts to collapse. The Relics return to their resting places because there is no need for them now. Azryael and Christauni are the last to place the Relic back. While his sister is happy to be back to normal, her brother knows he will return to a cripple. When he places the Relic in his holder, he’s told that as long as he stays within the palace walls, he’ll be fine. Christauni must leave because it is a place meant only for Keeprs, but Azryael assures her he will be watching over them.